Exercise #4: Documentary reflection
February 17, 2026 By: Capri Holm
Dr. Mark Butorac
HIST 3991: Environmental History
Capri Holm
February 17, 2026
Exercise #4
Civil disobedience, when used appropriately, can have profound effects on public awareness and governmental reform; however, when used inappropriately, can lead to off-topic discussions that hinder original goals. Drawing from Activity One research, a recent display of civil disobedience in my province of British Columbia occurred when citizens, who wanted the old-growth forest on Vancouver Island preserved, created a blockade to prevent access to the upper Walbran, a logging road (Parfitt). To assist their barrier, they created and placed a large wooden cougar sculpture at the center of the road as a symbolic gesture (Parfitt). This act of civil disobedience was inherently peaceful, with minimal violence reported and only four protesters arrested (The Canadian Press). The police, unfortunately, faced some backlash as the wooden sculpture was destroyed in order to apprehend two protesters who had chained themselves to said cougar (The Canadian Press). This recent act to stall and create awareness on the logging was not one of aggression, but instead remained peaceful and respectful, a quality that is appreciated but not shared when contrasted with other acts of civil disobedience.
In contrast to what happened at Walbran, other environmental groups’ actions have hindered their aspirations for awareness and preservation by causing discussions to center on civil disobedience rather than environmental action. In one example, the Earth Liberation Front documentary in Unit Four, Topic Two initially presented benevolent environmental goals, but these quickly shifted into headlines about destruction and ecoterrorism given the threats and acts of violence used to further their cause (Curry). Drawing on another example from Activity One research, a 2021 protest was described as the most violent act of civil disobedience to date in Canada, as individuals resided at the Fairy Creek Watershed to prevent logging (Osborne and Cecco). Unfortunately, their lack of peaceful exit after the government granted an injunction led to the use of police force, including pepper spray, hair pulling, and more than 800 arrests. Although this did lead to a two-year suspension of logging at that site, the headlines of violence and debates on the use of force by police overtook the nation, not the environmental goals (Osborne and Cecco).
Therefore, when civil disobedience becomes violent, the actions of environmental groups are overlooked for the more publicly attractive headlines of violence and police actions. The Walbran blockade ended when an injunction was granted, as both the Indigenous groups native to the area and their affiliated logging company publicly stated that logging in the area had already been approved (Parfitt; The Canadian Press). The protests and civil actions displayed are ones that represent a more peaceful and well-rounded discussion, preventing harm to law enforcement and protesters. Civil disobedience is an important part of ensuring continued accountability and acknowledgement of overlooked issues, especially environmental ones, but it should remain nonviolent to avoid diverting attention from the true goals. Therefore, I agree with civil disobedience when peaceful and reject the promotion of violence or threats of violence that could cause harm to bystanders or law enforcement.
The links to the reports can be found here, as well as in the works cited:
Walbran blockade via mainstream media: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/walbran-cougar-camp-logging-resumes-9.6995575
Walbran blockade via alternative media: https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/09/11/Walbran-Blockade-Echoes-Another-Famous-Stand-Forest/
One other example to defend answer: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/08/canada-logging-protest-vancouver-island
Works Cited
Curry, Marshall. Director, writer, producer, and Sam Cullman, Co-Director, Producer. “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front.” 2011. Marshall Curry Productions, 1:25:40.
Osborne, Jen, and Leyland Cecco. “Anti-Logging Protest Becomes Canada’s Biggest Ever Act of Civil Disobedience: At Least 866 Arrested since April, as Police Condemned for Violence against Protesters Defending Vancouver Island’s Ancient Forests.” The Guardian, 8 Sept. 2021, www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/08/canada-logging-protest-vancouver-island.
Parfitt, Ben. “How the Walbran Blockade Echoes Another Famous Stand in the Forest: Thirty-Five Years Ago, BC Attempted to Saw the Carmanah in Half.” The Tyee, 11 Sept. 2025, thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/09/11/Walbran-Blockade-Echoes-Another-Famous-Stand-Forest/.
The Canadian Press. “Police Clear Vancouver Island Protest Camp, Forestry Activities to Resume: Six People Arrested as Part of Injunction Enforcement, RCMP Say.” CBC, 27 Nov. 2025, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/walbran-cougar-camp-logging-resumes-9.6995575.